From crowdfunding to IPO in 16 months: Edinburgh tech company claims UK first with Aim flotation November 16, 2016 The London Stock Exchange’s junior market today welcomed its first company with roots in equity crowdfunding. Edinburgh-based tech company Freeagent Holdings began trading on the Alternative Investment Market (Aim) this morning, with the float raising £10.7m and valuing the company at £34.1m. Freeagent, a cloud-based software-as-a-service accounting software company, is believed to be the first [...]
Deliveroo teams up with Heineken to create new booze delivery brand November 16, 2016 Deliveroo has announced a new partnership with Heineken which will see the two launch a new brand, Brew House, through which customers will be able to order beer and cider directly to their homes. Brew House launches in London today, and will be rolled out across the rest of the UK by the end of this year, [...]
City A.M. Unregulated podcast: How I Made.com it – Julien Callede, the man behind the internet’s hippest furniture brand November 16, 2016 When Julien Callede was standing on the platform at Gare du Nord in February 2010 with a one-way ticket to London in his hand, he had no idea he was about to launch one of the internet's best-known furniture brands. Five years and several new markets later, he explains why he chose the UK to [...]
Prudential aiming to grow dividend by five per cent as insurer sees no surprises in third quarter trading November 16, 2016 Prudential is aiming to grow its dividend by five per cent per annum, the insurer said today, as it prepared to host its capital markets day in central London. The company said it would "maintain its focus on delivering a growing ordinary dividend", and added that: "The potential for additional distributions will continue to be [...]
We’re all Scrooge-ing it: Why you shouldn’t expect generous Christmas presents from your London-based friends this year November 16, 2016 If you were looking forward to receiving a bountiful array of presents from your London-based friends this Christmas, it may be time to start tempering your expectations. Britain is a nation of generous gift givers, according to research from Very.co.uk, with 74 per cent of adults preferring to give a gift rather than receive one. [...]
Unfair business rate hikes will hit London’s competitiveness: Government must now act November 15, 2016 London is, without a doubt, a fantastic city in which to live, do business and visit – an epicentre of world-leading business, culture, entertainment and retail. Anyone walking along our iconic streets, from Bond Street to Brick Lane, cannot help but be struck by its unique mix of architecture and people. But we are also [...]
Opinion: Many criticise London’s rapid regeneration but there’s lots to admire, too November 14, 2016 The changing residential landscape across London is sometimes met with disapproval and resentment. Gentrification can be a symbol for negativity, with many arguing that neighbourhoods lose their character and soul as a result. However, what I have seen as a long-term resident in Hackney, a borough that’s often held up an example of gentrification, is [...]
Here are all the Marks & Spencer stores at risk of closure November 14, 2016 Brace yourselves residents of St Albans, Warrington and Bolton. For it seems your local M&S is at risk of getting the chop. The retailer is shutting 30 outlets around the UK and converting 45 others to Simply Food stores. While M&S hasn't yet announced its full list of closures, retail analysts at Local Data Company [...]
Blackstone-backed retailer faces testing negotiations with lenders after annual earnings are slashed November 13, 2016 Outdoor clothing retailer Jack Wolfskin has gone cap in hand to its lenders after revealing annual earnings have halved and forecast earnings will be less than previously expected. The German-based company was saddled with €485m (£418m) of debt facilities, when current owners Blackstone, a private equity firm, bought it in 2011. The debt in the business now totals €365m. [...]
City Moves for 11 November 2016 | Who’s switching jobs November 11, 2016 SETL SETL, the London based financial blockchain specialist, has appointed national security expert Martin Clements to its board. SETL was launched in July 2015 to deploy a multi-asset, multi-currency institutional payment and settlements infrastructure based on blockchain technology. Martin joins the SETL board having recently retired from his role as director general responsible for technology and [...]